Half Dome Reflection
Morning shoot on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park
Morning shoot on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park
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Sep, 2016Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Half Dome Photo Challenge
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Yosemite National Park. It was my first visit in 20 years. This is on the Merced River just below Swinging Bridge. The water level was very low at this time in the Fall. You can see several dead tress in the shot, the result of the long standing drought in California.Time
In the morning about 7:00 or 8:00 a.m.Lighting
I shot sunrise down the river at Tunnel View then worked my way here before the light became too harsh and the crowds arrived. I was standing in shadow in the bottom of Yosemite Valley as the sun climbed and hit Half Dome.Equipment
Canon 50 megapixel 5DS R with a Canon EF 24-105mm L lens on an Induro tripod, Calumet ball head, and a remote shutter release. This is an HDR image and the exposure starts with 0.6 seconds f/16 ISO 100 then +/- 2 EV.Inspiration
I wasn't that familiar with the park since I hadn't been there in 20 years. I had driven by this bridge the previous day; it looked like an interesting location and I wanted to stop but there was no parking. But this early in the morning I was the first one there so I took advantage of that and pulled in. I had taken several shots from on top of the bridge then moved on when I noticed a man and his son walking in the dry river bed below the bridge. I thought, "Now why didn't I think of that?" I went back and down under the bridge to find this perfect spot with the reflection of Half Dome in the remaining water.Editing
HDR created in NIK/Google HDR Effex Pro 2 with additional edits in Lightroom.In my camera bag
For landscape work I keep it simple: the Canon 24-105mm L lens (now replaced with a Canon 24-70mm L lens) a cable release for the shutter, and an 8 stop neutral density filter.Feedback
I do every thing I can for maximum sharpness: tripod, camera set to mirror lockup, ISO 100, remote shutter release. Chase the light. Go early and come back late.
